Make or break data next week will lock in RBA’s next move as unemployment holds steady

Australia’s unemployment rate has held steady in June, pushing pressure onto next week’s inflation data to lock in the Reserve Bank’s next interest rate move.Jobs data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Thursday showed the unemployment rate remained at 4.4% in June, largely in line with economists’ expectations.June and May’s 4.4% rate followed a higher 4.5% in April, up from 4.3% in March.The number of unemployed people rose by 13,000 people over June as 76,000 people started new jobs despite seasonal lulls typically observed over the winter months.“This represents a stronger June movement than has been observed in recent years,” ABS head of labour statistics Sean Crick said. “We also continued to see higher numbers of people remaining employed this June, following elevated levels in the recent few months.”Minister for employment and workplace relations Amanda Rishworth said the data proves Australia’s labour market is resilient.Minister for employment and workplace relations, Amanda Rishworth. Picture: Hilary Wardhaugh“Despite ongoing global uncertainty, employment continues to grow; the unemployment rate remains low and participation is close to its record high,” she sa...